Agent delivery device

ABSTRACT

A medical device comprising a housing defining at least one enclosure for storing agent in a first form, a force applicator within the housing and adjacent the enclosure, a drive mechanism for moving the agent toward the force applicator, wherein the force applicator defines a surface for applying a force to the agent to separate the agent into particles smaller than a size of the first form, and wherein the device defines a lumen for receiving the particles from the force applicator and for receiving a pressurized fluid to propel the particles through the lumen.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/951,426, filed on Dec. 20, 2019, which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a medical device thatadministers an agent. More particularly, at least some embodiments ofthe present disclosure relate to a medical device configured to beloaded with a therapeutic agent, separate the loaded agent into asmaller form, and then deliver that agent via a lumen of the medicaldevice.

BACKGROUND

In certain medical procedures, it may be necessary to stop bleedinginternal to the body. For example, an endoscopic medical procedure mayrequire hemostasis of bleeding tissue within the gastrointestinal tract,for example in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines.

During an endoscopic procedure, a user inserts a sheath of an endoscopeinto a body lumen of a patient. The user utilizes a handle of theendoscope to control the endoscope during the procedure. Tools arepassed through a working channel of the endoscope via, for example, aport in the handle, to deliver treatment at the procedure site near adistal end of the endoscope. The procedure site is remote from theoperator.

To achieve hemostasis at the remote site, a hemostatic agent may bedelivered by a device inserted into the working channel of theendoscope. Agent delivery may be achieved through mechanical systems,for example. Such systems, however, may require numerous steps oractuations to achieve delivery, may not achieve a desired rate of agentdelivery or a desired dosage of agent, may result in the agent cloggingportions of the delivery device, may result in inconsistent dosing ofagent, or may not result in the agent reaching the treatment site deepwithin the GI tract. The current disclosure may solve one or more ofthese issues or other issues in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to an example, a medical device may include a housing definingat least one enclosure for storing agent in a first form, a forceapplicator within the housing and adjacent the enclosure, a drivemechanism for moving the agent toward the force applicator. The forceapplicator may define a surface for applying a force to the agent toseparate the agent into particles smaller than a size of the first form.The device may define a lumen for receiving the particles from the forceapplicator and for receiving a pressurized fluid to propel the particlesthrough the lumen. The force applicator may include a round gearincluding a plurality of teeth about a circumference of the gear. Thedrive mechanism may include two rotatable wheels to receive the agentbetween the two rotatable wheels, and may be connected to a triggeroutside the housing. The actuation of the trigger may cause rotation ofthe two rotatable wheels.

In another example, the medical device may further include a fluidsource, e.g., gas, for providing the pressurized fluid, wherein thefluid source may be connected to the lumen via a fluid channel, andwherein the fluid channel may be connected to a portion of the lumendistal to the force applicator. The fluid channel may include a valveconfigured to open or close a flow of pressurized fluid from the fluidsource to the lumen. The valve may coupled to the trigger configured toat least open/close the valve.

In another example, the medical device may further include a first gearcoupled to a surface of the force applicator, wherein the first gear isconfigured to rotate simultaneously with the force applicator, in a samedirection, and a lever coupled to the housing, wherein an end of thelever includes a second gear, and the second gear and the first gear areconnected in series via a linking gear positioned in between the firstgear and the second gear, wherein actuation of the lever rotates thesecond gear, which rotates the linking gear, which rotates the firstgear and the force applicator. Actuation of the lever may also actuate atrigger to supply a pressurized fluid to the lumen. Each throw, e.g.,pivoted rotation, of the lever may rotate the force applicator by aconsistent degree to supply a substantially consistent amount ofparticles to the lumen.

In another example, the medical device may further include an electricmotor coupled to the force applicator, wherein the electric motor isconfigured to rotate the force applicator, and a battery electricallyconnected to the electric motor and a trigger, wherein the trigger isconfigured to act as an electrical switch that powers the electric motorvia the battery. Actuation of the trigger may continuously rotate theforce applicator and continuously supply pressurized fluid to the lumenfrom the fluid source, until the trigger is released.

In another example, the housing of the medical device may include aholster defining a plurality of enclosures for storing the agent,wherein the holster is rotatable relative to other portions of thehousing and the lumen. The housing may include a chamber below theholster, and a channel between the chamber and the lumen so that thereis fluid communication between the chamber and the lumen. The drivemechanism may include a rotation of the holster so that one of theplurality of enclosures aligns with the chamber, thereby delivering theagent from one of the enclosures to the chamber. The force applicatormay include a wedge that obtrudes into the chamber, and the wedge may beconfigured to separate the agent in the chamber into particles.

According to another example, a medical device may include a housingdefining at least one enclosure for storing agent in a first form, aforce applicator within the housing and adjacent the enclosure, a drivemechanism for moving the agent toward the force applicator, wherein theforce applicator includes a plurality of teeth for applying a force tothe agent to separate the agent into particles smaller than a size ofthe first form, wherein the force applicator includes a first gear, anda lever coupled to the housing. The lever may include a second gear, andthe second gear and the first gear may be coupled so that pulling thelever causes the second gear to rotate the first gear and the forceapplicator, separating the agent into the particles. The device maydefine a lumen for receiving the particles from the force applicator andfor receiving a pressurized fluid to propel the particles through thelumen. The drive mechanism may be connected to a trigger outside thehousing, and actuation of the trigger may operate the drive mechanism.

In another example, the medical device may further include a fluidsource for providing the pressurized fluid, wherein the fluid source isconnected to the lumen via a fluid channel, wherein the fluid channelincludes a valve configured to open or close a flow of pressurized fluidfrom the fluid source to the lumen, wherein the valve is coupled to atrigger configured to at least open/close the valve, and wherein thetrigger is located outside of the housing. Actuation of the lever mayactuate a trigger to supply the pressurized fluid to the lumen.

According to an example, a method of administering agent via a medicaldevice may include positioning a lumen of the medical device so that adistal end of the lumen is adjacent to a targeted site, wherein thedevice further includes a housing defining at least one enclosurestoring the agent in a first form, a force applicator within the housingand adjacent the enclosure, and a drive mechanism for moving the agenttoward the force applicator, providing a pressurized fluid to the lumen,and delivering the agent towards the force applicator via the drivemechanism, thereby separating the agent into particles smaller than asize of the first form via the force applicator, and feeding the lumenwith the particles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate various exemplary embodiments andtogether with the description, serve to explain the principles of thedisclosed embodiments.

FIGS. 1A-1B are cross-sectional views of a medical device, according todifferent embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an enclosure and a feeding mechanismof a medical device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a medical device,according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a medical device, according toanother embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a top view of a holster of the medical device of FIG. 4A.

FIGS. 4C and 4D are cross-sectional views of a medical device, accordingto another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to aspects of the presentdisclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same or similar reference numbers willbe used through the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Theterm “distal” refers to a portion farthest away from a user whenintroducing a device into a subject (e.g., patient). By contrast, theterm “proximal” refers to a portion closest to the user when placing thedevice into the subject.

Both the foregoing general description and the following detaileddescription are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictiveof the features, as claimed. As used herein, the terms “comprises,”“comprising,” “having,” “including,” or other variations thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method,article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not includeonly those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listedor inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. In thisdisclosure, relative terms, such as, for example, “about,”“substantially,” “generally,” and “approximately” are used to indicate apossible variation of ±10% in a stated value or characteristic.

The present disclosure may solve one or more of the limitations in theart. The scope of the disclosure, however, is defined by the attachedclaims and not the ability to solve a specific problem. The presentdisclosure is drawn to medical devices configured to be loaded withagent(s), e.g., therapeutic agents, that crush or separate the loadedagent(s) into smaller particles, and administer said particles to atargeted site, among other aspects. The agent may be in any first form,e.g., a rod, a pellet, prior to it being separated or crushed into asmaller form, such as a powder of loose particles, and delivered to alumen receiving a stream of propellant/pressurized fluid, e.g., CO₂,nitrogen, air, etc. Said medical devices may help increase theconsistency of particle size and particle delivery of agent, e.g.,hemostatic powder, and may also help reduce variation that is inherentin conventional fluid-driven powder/particle mixing and deliverysystems.

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of medical device 1 infurther detail. Medical device 1 includes a housing 2 defining at leastone enclosure 5 for storing agent 100 in a first form, e.g., a rod orother single-piece shaped form of an agent, a force applicator 11 withinhousing 2 and adjacent enclosure 5, and a drive mechanism 13 configuredfor moving or propelling agent 100 towards force applicator 11.Enclosure 5 may be pre-loaded with agent 100, or enclosure 5 may includean opening/mechanism by which it may be loaded with agent 100. Forceapplicator 11 defines a surface, e.g., a surface of each of a pluralityof teeth 12 along its circumference, for applying a force to agent 100to separate it into particles 101 smaller than its first form. Insteadof teeth 12 about its circumference, force applicator 11 could includeserrations, barbs, or any other sharp or roughened surface capable ofseparating agent into powder/particle form. Drive mechanism 13 includestwo wheels 13 a and 13 b positioned directly below and above oneanother, with sufficient space between one another to receive agent 100.Drive mechanism 13 may be within enclosure 5, in which agent 100 isstored. Drive mechanism 13 moves agent 100 towards force applicator 11as wheel 13 a rotates counter-clockwise and wheel 13 b rotatesclockwise. However, drive mechanism 13 is not limited to wheels 13 a and13 b, and may be any suitable mechanism for advancing agent 100.Similarly, force applicator 11 may be any suitable mechanism forseparating/crushing agent 100 into particles 101, such as, roundgrinders, worm gears, or augers. In some other embodiments, device 1 mayinclude a plurality of force applicators.

Medical device 1 also includes a lumen 4 within housing 2 for receivingparticles 101 from force applicator 11 and for receiving a pressurizedfluid from a fluid source 7, via a channel 14, to propel particles 101through lumen 4. Lumen 4 may be connected with or otherwise be in fluidcommunication with enclosure 5 storing agent 100, so that a distalportion of enclosure 5 transitions into lumen 4, as shown in FIG. 1A.Channel 14 includes a valve 17 along its length between source 7 andlumen 4, and is connected to a portion of lumen 4 that is distal toforce applicator 11 to feed lumen 4 with pressurized fluid, therebypropelling particles 101 towards a distal end of lumen 4. Valve 14 iscoupled to a trigger 15 located outside of a handle portion 3 of housing2. Trigger 15 may be configured to at least open fluid valve 14, therebyproviding a flow of pressurized fluid from fluid source 7 to lumen 4.Trigger 15 may be any suitable form, e.g., a button, a switch, and itsform is not particularly limited. Fluid source 7 is within handleportion 3 of housing 2, but is not particularly limited to being withinhandle 3, and may even be outside housing 2. It is further noted thatlumen 4 is not limited to being within housing 2, and in otherembodiments, may be at least partially outside of housing 2. Acatheter/sheath (not shown) may also be attached to (or otherwise extendfrom) the distal end of housing 2. Said catheter/sheath may be long,flexible to traverse tortuous patient anatomy, and any suitable size toinsert into a working lumen of a scope (not shown) or another deliverydevice (not shown).

Medical device 1, shown in FIG. 1A, further includes a first gear 10that is coupled to a surface of force applicator 11, and first gear 10is configured to rotate simultaneously with force applicator 11, in thesame direction. Medical device 1 also includes a lever 6 coupled tohousing 2, and the coupled end of lever 6 includes a second gear 8.First gear 10 and second gear 8 are connected in series via a linkinggear 9, positioned in between first gear 10 and second gear 8. Thus,lever 6 is pivotably coupled to linking gear 9, via second gear 8. As aresult of such configuration, pulling lever 6 proximally rotates secondgear 8 (clockwise as shown in FIG. 1A), which in turn rotates linkinggear 9 (counter-clockwise), which rotates first gear 10 (clockwise) by aselected or desired degree. Pulling lever 6 proximally may entailtranslating one end of lever 6 (the end opposite of second gear 8)towards handle portion 3, as indicated by the directional arrow of FIG.1A. This translation is a pivoted movement, as the other end of lever 6(second gear 8) is pivotably connected to linking gear 9. The pulling oflever 6 may be by any suitable action, for example, by hand or bymechanical, electrical, or pneumatic action. The rotation of first gear10 rotates force applicator 11 by a selected or desired degree, whichproceeds to separate/crush a portion of agent 100, fed via drive wheels13 a and 13 b, into particles 101. It is noted that the rotation ofdrive wheels 13 a and 13 b may be actuated via any suitable mechanism.Such mechanisms may include an automated mechanism that is triggered bythe pulling of lever 6 or by the actuation of trigger 15 opening valve17. Another mechanism may include an additional gear or a series ofgears connecting first gear 10 to drive wheels 13 a and 13 b, and thus,also rotating said drive wheels by pulling lever 6.

Lever 6 further includes a contact 16, which may be a protrusion or atab extending outward from the surface of lever 6 facing handle 3.Contact 16 may be configured to press or actuate trigger 15 on handle 3,as lever 6 is pulled proximally towards handle 3, thereby opening valve17. Opening valve 17 permits pressurized fluid to flow into channel 14past valve 17 and into lumen 4 to propel particles 101 distally.Referring to FIG. 1A, an example of how medical device 1 may be used isfurther discussed below. The distal portion of medical device 1 (e.g., acatheter or sheath having the distal portion of lumen 4) may bedelivered into the body of a subject. Lumen 4 may be positioned so thata distal end of lumen 4 is adjacent to an intended target site for agent100 administration. Such delivery and positioning may be accomplishedvia an endoscope having a working channel (not shown). Imagingassociated with the endoscope may assist in positioning. A user may thenload housing 2 of medical device 1 with agent 100, if not loadedalready, so that wheels 13 a and 13 b of driving mechanism 13 mayadvance agent 100 towards force applicator 11. The manner in whichhousing 2 is loaded with agent 100 is not particularly limited. A usermay then pull lever 6 proximally, by any suitable manner/mechanism, sothat contact 16 presses against trigger 15, thereby opening valve 14 andproviding a pressurized fluid to lumen 4, and also rotating forceapplicator 11 via the series of first gear 10, linking gear 9, andsecond gear 8. This results in force applicator 11 separating/crushingagent 100 into particles 101, via the force applied by teeth 12 to agent100. Lumen 4 is fed with particles 101, which are propelled toward thedistal end of lumen 4 via pressurized fluid and, thus, administered tothe intended target site. Pulling lever 6 may also trigger a mechanismby which driving wheels 13 a and 13 b are rotated, such as via automatedrotation or via a gear or a series of additional gears connecting firstgear 10 to driving wheels 13 a and 13 b.

It is further noted that a throw of lever 6 rotates force applicator 11by a certain degree, as discussed above, and supplies a continuous flowof pressurized fluid, as long as trigger 15 is pressed inward. Thus, asingle throw of lever 6 may deliver a consistent, desired dose of agent100, separated into particles 101, into lumen 4. For example, FIG. 1Ashows that lever 6 may be rotated about 45 degrees clockwise, causing aset degree of rotation of gears 9, 10 and force applicator 11. This setamount of rotation corresponds to a set amount of agent 100 beingseparated into particles. For larger doses, a user may repeatedlyactuate (push then pull) lever 6 so that force applicator 11 isintermittently rotated and pressurized fluid is supplied. Alternatively,for larger doses, the throw of lever 6 may be increased.

Medical device 1′, as shown in FIG. 1B, is similar to device 1 in manyrespects. Like reference numeral refer to like parts. Differencesbetween device 1 and 1′ will be described. Device 1′ includes anelectric motor 20 coupled to force applicator 11, configured to rotateforce applicator 11 electrically. In some other embodiments, medicaldevice 1′ may include a plurality of electric motors 20 and/or aplurality of force applicators 11. Medical device 1′ further includes abattery 18 electrically connected to electric motor 20, via wires 19 aand 19 b, to power electric motor 20. Wire 19 a connects the cathode ofbattery 18 to electric motor 20. Wire 19 b includes two portions toconnect the anode of battery 18 and motor 20 to trigger 15′, whichserves as both a valve switch and an electrical switch, along its pathto electric motor 18. Therefore, the actuation of trigger 15′ may openvalve 17 and power electric motor 20 simultaneously in medical device1′. The actuation of trigger 15′ may be by any suitable action, forexample, by hand or by mechanical, electrical, or pneumatic action.

Medical device 1′ may be used in the same manner as medical device 1except a user actuates trigger 15′, as opposed to pulling a lever. Theactuation of trigger 15′ opens valve 14, thereby providing a pressurizedfluid to lumen 4, and also powers the rotation of force applicator 11via electric motor 20, which is electrically wired to battery 18.Additionally, the actuation of trigger 15′ may also automate therotation of driving wheels 13 a and 13 b, thereby feeding agent 100 toforce applicator 11. Actuation of trigger 15′ may operate theaforementioned functions in a continuous manner, until trigger 15′ isreleased. Thus, a user may hold trigger 15′ until a desired amount ofagent 100, separated into particles 101, is delivered to a targeted sitevia lumen 4, and then release trigger 15′ to cease the operation ofdevice 1′.

FIG. 2 shows an example of another embodiment of drive mechanism 13′.Drive mechanism 13′ includes a compressed spring 13 a′ coupled to aplatform 13 b′ on one end, that is positioned adjacent to a proximal endof agent 100. Platform 13 b′ defines a surface which pushes againstagent 100, as compressed spring 13 a′ decompresses, thereby pushingagent 100 towards a force applicator (not shown). The other end ofspring 13 a′ is stationary against an inner surface of enclosure 5 inthe housing. Agent 100 may be pre-loaded into enclosure 5, or enclosure5 may include an opening/mechanism by which it may be loaded with agent100. In this embodiment, a surface of one of the teeth, or any otherforce applying surface, of a force applicator (not shown) may apply anopposite, greater force against spring 13 a′, so that spring 13 a′remains compressed and agent 100 is not advanced. By such configuration,spring 13 a′ extends and agent 100 is advanced only when the forceapplicator is rotated or actuated.

FIG. 3 shows an example of another means by which force applicator 11may be rotated in medical device 1″ to apply a force separating/crushingagent 100 into particles 101. In medical device 1″, a torsion spring 22is coupled to force applicator 11 in a manner so that a torque or arotary force actuates the rotation of force applicator 11″. Medicaldevice 1″ further includes a lever 6″ configured to pivot about a pivotpoint 24. Lever 6″ includes a pawl 23 that may catch one of teeth 12″ offorce applicator 11″, thereby inhibiting the rotation of forceapplicator 11″. As lever 6″ is pulled proximally (as shown by the arrowA), and pivots clockwise about pivot point 24, pawl 23 simultaneouslyrotates in a clockwise direction, and releases from one of teeth 12″ offorce applicator 11″, thereby rotating force applicator 11″ via therotary force exerted by spring 22. As shown, the rotation of forceapplicator 11″ applies a force to agent 100 via teeth 12″, andseparates/crushes agent 100 into particles 101, which are subsequentlydelivered to lumen 4. Thus, medical device 1″ may be used in a similarmanner as medical device 1. Medical device 1″ may also be different inuse than device 1. For example, lever 6″ may be pulled (as shown byarrow A) and held in its pulled position to permit continuous rotationof force applicator 11′, via the rotary force exerted by spring 22, andto have a constant supply of pressurized fluid. Thus, unlike device 1,multiple, sequential throws of lever 6″ is not necessary to continuallyrotate force applicator 1″ and supply pressurized fluid for a prolongedduration of time. Lever 6″ may also be returned to its original positionso that pawl 23 re-engages one of teeth 12″ to inhibit further rotationof force applicator 11″, and to also cease the supply of pressurizedfluid to lumen 4. Lever 6″ may be actuated by any suitable action, forexample, by hand or by mechanical, electrical, or pneumatic action.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4D, another embodiment of medical device 1′″ isdescribed below. Medical device 1′″ includes a housing 36 that includesa holster 30, which includes a plurality of cavities 31 a-h for storingagent 100′ in a first form, e.g., a pellet. Holster 30 sits within aenclosure of housing 36. FIG. 4A shows a cross-sectional view of holster30 along line 4A-4A of FIG. 4B. Medical device 1′″ also includes a lumen4 receiving pressurized fluid, e.g., CO₂, from a fluid source (notshown) at its proximal end. Housing 36 includes a barrier region 39positioned between holster 30 and lumen 4. As indicated by thedirectional arrow A in FIGS. 4A and 4B, holster 30 is rotatable relativeto a remainder of housing 36 and lumen 4. Furthermore, housing 36includes a force applicator in the form of a wedge 37, which defines asurface for applying a force to agent 100 to separate it into particlessmaller than its first form. The form of a force applicator is notparticularly limited to wedge 37, and may be any suitable form. Wedge 37may be below holster 30, and may be spring-actuated, via spring 38. Anyother form of biasing or pressing wedge 37 to the left in FIG. 1A may beused. In another embodiment, wedge 37 may be actuated via pneumatics.For example, an additional port or channel (not shown) may be branchedfrom lumen 4 at a point that is proximal to a channel 35, so that saidport may feed pressurized fluid directly into housing 36 or specificallytowards wedge 37. The force of the fed pressurized fluid may engagewedge 37 to compress and crush agent 100′. In other embodiments, acombination of both a spring and pneumatics may be implemented toactuate wedge 37.

Housing 36 also includes a chamber 33 defined by a first opening 32 thatis adjacent to holster 30, and a narrower, second opening 34 leading toa channel 35, which leads to lumen 4. First opening 32 may be alignedwith any of the plurality of enclosures 31 a-h of holster 30, dependingon the rotational position of holster 30 relative to barrier 39. Thus,as holster 30 rotates, agent 100′ may drop into chamber 33 from one ofthe plurality of enclosures 31 a-h. The rotation of holster 30 may be byany suitable action, for example, by hand or by mechanical, electrical,or pneumatic action. For example, in some other embodiments, therotation of holster 30 may be operated by a trigger that causes rotationor measured rotation of holster 30, e.g., rotation such that adjacentenclosures 31 a-31 h may be aligned with chamber 33 sequentially. InFIGS. 4A-4B, holster 30 includes eight enclosures 31 a-h distributedevenly about the perimeter/circumference of holster 30. Actuation of atrigger may cause rotation of holster by 45 degrees to align asubsequent enclosure with opening 32. Although eight equally sized andspaced enclosures are shown, it is understood that there may be more orless number of enclosures, varied spacing, and varied size toaccommodate different sizes/doses of agent 100′.

A portion of wedge 37, which may be spring-actuated via spring 38,obtrudes the enclosure defined by chamber 33, and after holster 30releases agent 100′ into chamber 33, wedge 37 separates/crushes agent100′ into particles (not shown). Because there is fluid communicationbetween chamber 33 and lumen 4, via channel 35, the particles of agent100′ are delivered to lumen 4, and are propelled towards a distal end oflumen 4 via pressurized fluid. It is noted that agent 100′, prior tobeing separated into particles, is inhibited from falling into channel35 and being delivered to lumen 4 because second opening 34 and channel35 are narrower than a width, or cross-sectional size, of agent 100′, inwhichever first form. A size of opening 34 and channel 35, and a forceexerted by wedge 37, may control the size of particles delivered.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4D, an example of how medical device 1′″ may beused is further discussed below. Similar to the aforementioned exemplarymedical devices, a distal portion of medical device 1′″ (e.g., acatheter or sheath having the distal portion of lumen 4) may bedelivered into the body of a subject. Lumen 4 may be positioned/directedso that a distal end of lumen 4 is adjacent an intended target site foragent 100 administration. As previously discussed, such delivery andpositioning may be accomplished via an endoscope having a workingchannel (not shown). Imaging associated with the endoscope may assist inpositioning. A user may then load one or more of the plurality ofenclosures 31 a-h of holster 30 with agent 100′, if not loaded already.The user may then rotate holster 30 relative a remainder of housing 36and lumen 4 so that one of enclosures 31 a-31 h aligns with firstopening 32, thereby dropping agent 100′ into chamber 33. Wedge 37proceeds to apply a force onto agent 100′, thereby separating/crushingagent 100′ into particles (not shown). Rotation of holster 30 may be byany suitable manner or mechanism, e.g., by hand or by mechanical,electrical, or pneumatic action. Said rotation may also be a measuredrotation or a continuous rotation via a mechanical or electrical means.Because there is fluid communication between chamber 33 and lumen 4, viachannel 35, said particles are delivered to lumen 4, and are propelledtowards a distal end of lumen 4 via pressurized fluid. It is noted thatpressurized fluid may be supplied to lumen 4, by a fluid source, at anytime prior to, during, and after the rotation of holster 30.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the disclosed device withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments of thedisclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromconsideration of the specification and practice of the inventiondisclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples beconsidered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of theinvention being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medical device comprising: a housing definingat least one enclosure for storing agent in a first form; a forceapplicator within the housing and adjacent the enclosure; and a drivemechanism for moving the agent toward the force applicator, wherein theforce applicator defines a surface for applying a force to the agent toseparate the agent into particles smaller than a size of the first form;wherein the device defines a lumen for receiving the particles from theforce applicator and for receiving a pressurized fluid to propel theparticles through the lumen.
 2. The medical device of claim 1, whereinthe force applicator includes a round gear including a plurality ofteeth about a circumference of the gear.
 3. The medical device of claim1, wherein the drive mechanism includes two rotatable wheels to receivethe agent between the two rotatable wheels, and wherein the drivemechanism is connected to a trigger outside the housing, and actuationof the trigger causes rotation of the two rotatable wheels.
 4. Themedical device of claim 1, further comprising a fluid source forproviding the pressurized fluid, wherein the fluid source is connectedto the lumen via a fluid channel, wherein the fluid channel is connectedto a portion of the lumen distal to the force applicator.
 5. The medicaldevice of claim 4, wherein the fluid channel includes a valve configuredto open or close a flow of pressurized fluid from the fluid source tothe lumen.
 6. The medical device of claim 5, wherein the valve iscoupled to the trigger configured to at least open/close the valve. 7.The medical device of claim 1, further comprising: a first gear coupledto a surface of the force applicator, wherein the first gear isconfigured to rotate simultaneously with the force applicator, in a samedirection; and a lever coupled to the housing, wherein an end of thelever includes a second gear, and the second gear and the first gear areconnected in series via a linking gear positioned in between the firstgear and the second gear, wherein actuation of the lever rotates thesecond gear, thereby causing the linking gear, the first gear, and theforce applicator to rotate.
 8. The medical device of claim 7, whereinactuation of the lever actuates a trigger to supply a pressurized fluidto the lumen.
 9. The medical device of claim 7, wherein each actuationof the lever rotates the force applicator by a predetermined degree tosupply a substantially consistent volume of particles to the lumen. 10.The medical device of claim 1, further comprising: an electric motorcoupled to the force applicator, wherein the electric motor isconfigured to rotate the force applicator; and a battery electricallyconnected to the electric motor and a trigger, wherein the trigger isconfigured to act as an electrical switch that powers the electric motorvia the battery.
 11. The medical device of claim 10, wherein actuationof the trigger continuously rotates the force applicator andcontinuously supplies pressurized fluid to the lumen from the fluidsource, until the trigger is released.
 12. The medical device of claim1, wherein the housing includes a holster defining a plurality ofenclosures for storing the agent, wherein the holster is rotatablerelative to other portions of the housing and the lumen.
 13. The medicaldevice of claim 12, wherein the housing further includes a chamber belowthe holster, and a channel between the chamber and the lumen so thatthere is fluid communication between the chamber and the lumen.
 14. Themedical device of claim 12, wherein the drive mechanism includes arotation of the holster so that one of the plurality of enclosuresaligns with the chamber, thereby delivering the agent from one of theenclosures to the chamber.
 15. The medical device of claim 12, whereinthe force applicator includes a wedge that obtrudes into the chamber,and the wedge is configured to separate the agent in the chamber intoparticles.
 16. A medical device comprising: a housing defining at leastone enclosure for storing agent in a first form; a force applicatorwithin the housing and adjacent the enclosure; a drive mechanism formoving the agent toward the force applicator, wherein the forceapplicator includes a plurality of teeth for applying a force to theagent to separate the agent into particles smaller than a size of thefirst form, wherein the force applicator includes a first gear; a levercoupled to the housing, wherein the lever includes a second gear, andthe second gear and the first gear are coupled so that actuation of thelever causes the second gear to rotate the first gear and the forceapplicator, separating the agent into the particles, and wherein thedevice defines a lumen for receiving the particles from the forceapplicator and for receiving a pressurized fluid to propel the particlesthrough the lumen.
 17. The medical device of claim 16, wherein the drivemechanism is connected to a trigger outside the housing, and actuationof the trigger operates the drive mechanism.
 18. The medical device ofclaim 16, further comprising a fluid source for providing thepressurized fluid, wherein the fluid source is connected to the lumenvia a fluid channel, and wherein the fluid channel includes a valveconfigured to open or close a flow of pressurized fluid from the fluidsource to the lumen.
 19. The medical device of claim 18, whereinactuation of the lever actuates a trigger to supply the pressurizedfluid to the lumen.
 20. A method of administering agent via a medicaldevice, comprising: positioning a lumen of the medical device so that adistal end of the lumen is adjacent to a targeted site, wherein thedevice further includes a housing defining at least one enclosurestoring the agent in a first form, a force applicator within the housingand adjacent the enclosure, and a drive mechanism for moving the agenttoward the force applicator, providing a pressurized fluid to the lumen;and delivering the agent towards the force applicator via the drivemechanism, thereby separating the agent into particles smaller than asize of the first form via the force applicator, and feeding the lumenwith the particles.